Pacelli was one of 73 passengers, two engineers and a conductor who were injured when the train derailed May 17 of last year and was struck by another train. She suffered a spinal fracture and required surgery and left her with lasting pain.

A Federal Railroad Administration investigation found a broken rail joint on section of the track where the derailment occurred. Metro-North inspectors reportedly found the broken joint two days before the derailment but said it didn’t pose a problem.

Pacelli and her husband Francesco, who was not on the train but claims loss of consortium, are requesting $10 million in damages for Pacelli’s medical care, surgery, physical therapy, medication and time away from work, according to the lawsuit.

An attorney representing the couple, Steven Errante, told NBC Connecticut, his client will never ride a train again because of the trauma. Even after surgery, he says Lina remains in pain and doctors expect it'll be that way for the rest of her life.

"Lina Pacelli got thrown very hard out of her seat, hit various people and poles, and ended up with a compression fracture of her back," said Errante.

Errante says that incident scarred her for life.

"As she would tell you she is not the same person, can't do the same activities, is very concerned about any future accidents, falls, so forth," said Errante.